Kansai regional dishes in Kyoto

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In addition to tofu and other Kyoto cuisine, there are many other specialty cuisines that have their origins in the Kansai region. These include kushi-age (deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers); takoyaki (octopus balls); okonomiyaki (savory seafood pancakes); and of course the world-famous Kobe beef.

Kushiage
Takoyaki
Okonomiyaki
Kobe beef

Tofu and Kyoto cuisine restaurants in Kyoto are listed separately.

Takoyaki, Akashiyaki

Takoyaki are balls of fried batter filled with bits of octopus, an inexpensive delicacy of Osaka. Akashiyaki are a Kobe version of this dish with a lighter and fluffier batter, using octopus from the Akashi area.

Karikari Hakase - Takoyaki: Kawaramachi

[ Open 11am-7pm. Closed Sundays. ]

The takoyaki at this Nishiki Market stand gets high marks from local Kyoto connoisseurs. Six pieces of jumbo takoyaki will set you back Y180; other options include takoyaki with cheese, spring...

[ Open 11am-7pm. Closed Sundays. ]

Kushiage

Kushiage (aka kushiyaki) refers to battered and deep-fried food on skewers. Typical ingredients include pork, chicken and other meats; mushrooms, lotus root, and seafood like scallops and shrimp.

Kushinobo - Kushiage: Kyoto Station

[ Open 11am-10pm daily. ]

Reliable kushiage from this Tokyo-based chain. Full-course dinner-size sets start at around Y2000.

[ Open 11am-10pm daily. ]

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is another inexpensive Osaka favorite - savory pancakes made from flour and eggs and filled with pork, squid, shrimp, shredded cabbage and other ingredients. See the okonimyaki menu article for more details.

Kyochabana - Okonomiyaki: Kyoto Station

[ Open 5pm-1:45am (LO) daily. ]

Osaka may be just down the road, but Kyoto has its own style of okonomiyaki, and it's very original. Several types of "tomato okonomiyaki" and "avocado okonomiyaki" are yours to choose from, as well...

[ Open 5pm-1:45am (LO) daily. ]

Kobe and other wagyu beef steaks, teppanyaki

This section covers classic steak houses as well as teppanyaki restaurants, which serve full-course meals that include seasonal seafood delicacies in addition to steak.

Hafuu - Steak house: Kyoto City Hall

[ Open 11:30am-1:30, 5:30-9:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays. ]

Yes, there is such a thing as gourmet yoshoku, and Hafuu leads the way with nicely prepared tongue stews, fried shrimps, cutlet sandwiches and other Japanese-style European classics. At dinnertime...

[ Open 11:30am-1:30, 5:30-9:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays. ]

Misono - Teppanyaki: Kawaramachi

[ Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-9:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays. ]

The "originator of teppanyaki" is Misono's claim, and they've certainly been around long enough, serving Kobe and other local beef steaks since the 1940s. The decor and prices are more down-to-earth...

[ Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-9:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays. ]